Mandatory Minimums in Criminal Sentencing

Essay Instructions Summer 2019- Govt 301 — Duality Papers For each segment of this paper, ALL sources that you use must be cited. Academic, scholarly sources are preferred. All paraphrasing and verbatim quotes must be acknowledged with a footnote. Each section must be labeled according to which part it comprises. There are seven parts to this paper. Due Date: Monday, June 10 — 1:30 to Blackboard; 1:40 in the classroom. The Blackboard copy must be in PDF or MSWord format The hard copy (classroom) must have a completed, filled-in Cover Sheet. The blank cover sheet will be supplied by the teacher via Blackboard. Approximate length of paper – 6 to 8 pages. Part 1. Briefly describe the issue *Issues/Topics will be provided by the professor In a few sentences, give an overview of the controversy. approximately 75 words Part 2 Give the best arguments and good faith positions for each side A&B Must be in an outline, bulleted format approximately 200 words for each side Part 3. Give possible ulterior motives or negative psychological motives for each side A&B Note: these motives not actually exist but they are (or they could be) alleged by their opponents Must be in an outline, bulleted format approximately 150 words for each side If appropriate, you may include an alleged ulterior motive for other participants in the issue, even if they are not the usually recognized participants in the controversy *An ulterior motive or negative psychological motive in this assignment is defined as an accusation made by the opposition to question the ethics, morality, secret agenda, mental stability, or personal gain of the opponent. Common ulterior motives are power, money, prestige, unrealistic fears, tribalism, close-mindedness … These accusations allow each side to discount and ignore the genuine value of any specific points made by the opponent. Part 4. State and explain your position… You must state and explain your position using either of the following two bases. Begin this section by stating, “I agree more with (pick a side in the debate) based on … *be sure to delineate your position in the sentence above (1) legal reasoning, or (2) empirical evidence (published data/research) Choose only one *Your explanation must be written in a thorough and professional manner and should contain approximately 400 words Part 5. Explain more about your position Choose two of the following six approaches to support your reasoning. You should begin this section in a format similar to this: “My agreement with (this position) is made stronger by the following two components – …. *delineate the position and the components in the sentence above (1) a personal connection to issue (anecdotal evidence), or (2) someone else’s story/narrative about the issue (anecdotal evidence), or (3) a distrust of people representing the opposing view, or (4) faith in people representing this particular view, or (5) my understanding of human nature, or (6) with prior permission only: another relevant criterion (give it a clear label) … Your explanation here must be written in a professional manner and should contain approximately 400 words. Part 6. Be a reluctant advocate for the other side … Complete part 4 again but proceed from the opposite point of view. You may choose different reasons from those chosen originally. For example, you may have first chosen legal reasoning for part 4, but as a reluctant advocate you may choose to use empirical evidence. Or your reasoning categories can overlap, for example, using legal reasoning to argue first for one side of the issue and then using it again to support the opposite side of the issue. You should begin this section in a format similar to the following: If I were to represent the opposing point of viewpoint in a debate or as a hired advocate, I would focus on *actually delineate the opposing point of view in the sentence above (1) legal reasoning or (2) empirical evidence (published data/research) *Your explanation must be written in a thorough and professional manner. Approximately 300 words Part 7. Explain more about your position as a reluctant advocate Complete part 5 again but proceed from the opposite point of view. You may choose different approaches from those chosen originally. Or your categories can overlap, for example, you may have chosen options 1 and 3 for part 5 originally but may choose to use options 1 and 4 for your reluctant advocacy. You should begin this section in a format similar to the following: “My representation of this other point of view would be made stronger by my focus on these two components – …. *actually delineate the opposing point of view in the sentence above (1) a personal connection to issue (anecdotal evidence), or (2) someone else’s story/narrative about the issue (anecdotal evidence), or (3) a distrust of people representing the opposing view, or (4) faith in people representing this particular view, or (5) my understanding of human nature, or (6) with prior written permission: another relevant criterion (give it a clear label) … *Your explanation must be written in a thorough and professional manner. Approximately 300 words